The Need for Emergency Services
Medicine and the medical profession are what keep society running. Without doctors, paramedics and emergency personnel, we’d be living in an unreasonably dangerous world. When we have services that cater to health emergencies in the nick of time, we are able to progress faster as a society. Emergency medical services serve an important role in keeping us safe and healthy.
What is Paramedic?
A paramedic is an individual that responds to medical emergencies, the duty of a paramedic is to provide urgent medical treatment before the patient is sent to a hospital.
The duties and responsibilities of paramedics include but aren’t limited to delivering urgent on-the-spot treatment, driving ambulances, responding to emergencies, transporting patients, administering medication and assisting with childbirth.
This is an incomplete list, but you get the gist of it. Frequently unexpected potentially fatal emergencies occur, which require urgent attention. We’ve already established the necessity of emergency services, so let’s address the proverbial elephant in the room: What does it take to become a paramedic?
How to become a Paramedic in 2024?
The first and most basic step is to gain an EMT certification. EMT stands for emergency medical technician. The certification can take between 3 to 6 months to complete, and provides you with the basic knowledge you need to further progress and eventually become a paramedic.
The EMT test puts you through scenarios that you have to handle physically. These are simulated medical emergencies, and in these tests you are being graded by an observer or two.
Once you have concluded your EMT training, you should now gain some experience working as an EMT, ideally a year before you go into paramedic schooling.
What kind of Person is Paramedic? What they do, and Where do they work?
When you sit down and read paramedic books, you realize that a paramedic is the sort of person who can handle working under immense stress and pressure. A paramedic’s job is a difficult one. It’s difficult because people’s lives are at stake, and not everyone is cut out for it.
When you become a paramedic, you understand that you are essentially the guardian angel of everyday pedestrians. Paramedics can work in three different places: hospitals, ambulances or at the scene of an emergency.
Places that offer paramedic courses:
- Community College
- Ambulance districts
- Accredited educators
You will require certain AP courses, namely anatomy and physiology, for your Paramedic schooling. Paramedic school teaches you the basics of medical care, cardiac care, pharmacology, understanding how to use IVs, and intubating patients.
If you wish to understand what it takes to truly become a paramedic, read “The Audacity of Indifference by Alex C. Hernandez Sr.”
The Top 5 Best Paramedic books
Reading paramedic book is necessary if you wish to understand the required skillset to become a paramedic. These paramedic books teach you important lessons, and you get to learn from the experiences of other paramedics.
1. The Audacity of Indifference by Alex C Hernandez
An outstanding paramedic book that every aspiring paramedic should read at least once, The Audacity of Indifference is a book about the life, trials and tribulations of Alex C. Hernandez Sr., a man who has served as a paramedic and as a teacher.
2. American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard:
This is a story about the first black paramedics in the U.S.A. They saved lives and the course of history and emergency medical care. These paramedics came into a world without any proper emergency medical care. They were not very educated but were taught important emergency medical techniques and thus were able to save many lives. One of the best paramedic books to read.
3. Decision Making in Paramedic Practice by Andy Collen
An important paramedic book with 5 case studies giving real-life examples that paramedics might have to face while on the job. This is a must-read paramedic book as it gives them an understanding and possibility of what can potentially go down on the job.
4. A Thousand Naked Strangers: A Paramedic’s Wild Ride to the Edge and Back by Kevin Hazzard
An entertaining paramedic book discussing a first responder’s 10 years serving as a paramedic and the thrilling and often funny moments that he encountered while on the job a great read for aspiring paramedics.
5. Clinical ECGs in Paramedic Practice by Charles L.Till
A very useful paramedic book that can teach aspiring paramedics how to interpret and understand cardiac electrophysiology, different ECGs and how to interpret them and the fundamental ECG principles, imperative for a paramedic to read through.
Conclusion
I hope that by reading our blog, you have a better understanding of what’s needed to become a paramedic. It’s a job that requires a certain mentality, and by learning from the best books, especially The Audacity of Indifference, you will fast-track your journey to becoming an outstanding paramedic who will help many people.
